How Much Wattage Does A Standing Fan Consume?

A standing fan, also known as a pedestal fan, is a widely used appliance in Indian homes. This type of fan offers a more localised cooling. The in-built settings allow you to direct the cooling in the required direction. You can plug a pedestal fan into an available socket, which makes it easier for you to move the fan between rooms. Like any other electrical appliance, a pedestal fan also consumes a certain amount of electricity to run. In this article, you can get information on the power consumption of a pedestal fan.

Pedestal Fans: An Overview

Pedestal fans, or standing fans, are portable fans comprising metal or plastic rotating blades typically enclosed in a metal grille. This assembly is supported by an adjustable stand or pedestal, hence the name. These fans are typically used in indoor spaces, however, you can find commercial standing fans for outdoor spaces. Pedestal fans also come with a certain degree of oscillation, allowing them to generate a good amount of airflow all around the room.

How Much Power Does A Standing Fan Consume?

The energy consumed by an electric appliance is measured in watts. You can find your appliance’s wattage on the manufacturer's sticker affixed to the appliance. The wattage for pedestal fans can range from 50 to 130 watts or more. It can vary depending on the chosen model.

Consider the Torpedo High Speed 16” from Crompton which comes with a power rating of 55 Watts. Its power consumption will be its wattage multiplied by operational hours. Therefore, if you run the fan for 4 hours, its power consumption will be 55 x 4 = 220 Watt-hours.

Note that the actual power consumption may vary because the published power of an appliance is typically the maximum electricity allowed to flow in that appliance. A pedestal fan can have multiple speed settings and a fan set at a higher speed will use more power than the one set at a lower speed.

How to Measure the Power Consumption of Pedestal Fan

To determine how much electricity your standing fan consumes, you must be aware of the wattage, the operational hours and your electricity tariff. For the sake of calculations, we will measure power in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your electricity tariff is the amount that your electricity supplier charges for one unit of electricity. This one unit of electricity is equivalent to 1 kWh. You can find your tariff on your electricity bill or the supplier’s website.

The formula for calculating a pedestal fan’s power consumption is:

Daily power consumption of a pedestal fan = Pedestal fan wattage x operational hours per day.

Let’s assume your standing fan uses 50 watts. If you run it for 8 hours, the power consumption would be 50 x 8 = 400 watt-hours. To know the power consumption in kWh, simply divide 400 watt-hours by 1000, i.e., 0.4 kWh.

You can use the following formula to find out the pedestal fan’s monthly energy consumption:

Monthly power consumption = Daily kWh x number of days used in a month

Assuming that you run your 50 watts pedestal fan for 8 hours every day for a month comprising 30 days, your power consumption would be 0.4 kWh x 30 = 12 kWh

Now, you can calculate your monthly cost of energy consumption by multiplying the utility rate with the monthly power consumption.

Monthly electricity cost of a pedestal fan = monthly energy consumption x per unit cost

Let’s assume your per unit electricity cost is ₹5/kWh. Then the monthly electricity cost of your pedestal fan will be 12 kWh x ₹5/kWh = ₹60

Factors Affecting A Pedestal Fan’s Energy Consumption

The following are the various factors that can impact the power consumption of standing fans:

Fan model

Manufacturers like Crompton offer a range of standing fan variants. The power rating can differ across models. The manufacturer typically uses different technology to build each model. Listed below are a few pedestal fan models from Crompton and their wattages:

Blade size

Different standing fans may come with different blade sizes. The motor typically has to work harder to rotate longer blades. Hence, fans with longer blades may consume more energy than fans with shorter blades. Long blades may also offer relatively more cooling as they are able to move more air.

Speed Settings

Pedestal fans typically feature different speed settings. You can conveniently change the speed settings on the fan or use a remote controller if your pedestal fan has such a feature. When the fan is at a lower speed, it will consume fewer watts and contrariwise. The power rating published on the appliance is the maximum power that can run through the appliance. At maximum speed, the fan reaches the maximum power.

Blade material

Standing fans may come with metal or plastic blades. Metal blades are heavier than plastic ones. They can cut through the air with less resistance and thus circulate more air. However, the heavier the blade, the more energy is required to rotate it. Plastic blades can be good for the motor and are relatively energy efficient.

Operational hours

Undoubtedly, the longer you use an appliance, the more electricity it consumes. A 40-watt fan that runs for 4 hours will consume 0.16 kWh of power. If the same fan runs for 6 hours, it will consume 0.24 kWh of power. Assuming the per unit electricity rate of ₹5, the cost for the former would be ₹0.8 and the latter would be ₹1.2.

Tips to Reduce Power Consumption Of Pedestal Fans

Here are a few energy-saving tips to potentially minimise your energy costs:

Placement is important

Where you place your fan can make a difference in its power consumption. You can place your pedestal fan directly opposite balconies or windows to promote cross-ventilation. Alternatively, you can place it next to your window or balcony for enhanced airflow. If viable, you can place two pedestal fans in opposite corners of the room to increase air circulation. Make sure your pedestal fan is not surrounded by large furniture pieces as it can obstruct the airflow.

Consider reducing the fan speed

While maximum speed is understandable during hot weather, consider low fan speeds otherwise. You can initially set the speed at high to cool the room and reduce the speed once the room is cool enough.

Switch off the fan

Pedestal fans can consume energy when they’re on standby. Do not simply turn the fan speed to zero when not in use; turn off the fan switch and unplug the appliance. This can help you save on energy costs over time.

Regular maintenance is necessary

Fan blades and grilles tend to accumulate dirt. This can greatly reduce your fan’s efficiency. First, switch off and unplug the fan. Then, you can access the blades by removing the front grille; simply unscrew the front and back grille. You can use a damp cloth to wipe the blades. You can use soapy water in case of grease build-up. However, you must be careful to not make the motor wet. Clean the stand and the cord and re-assemble all parts once they’re dry.

Choose the right size

Consider your room size when choosing a pedestal fan. Smaller rooms can benefit from smaller fans. Large fans in smaller rooms may not be green and it can also lead to significant noise.

What to Look For When Buying a Pedestal Fan

Planning to buy a new pedestal fan? Consider these factors:

RPM: Rotation Per Minute represents the speed of the fan. The higher the RPM, the higher the speed, the greater the air circulation. This information is typically available on the manufacturer's website or the appliance.

Motor: The motor is the heart of the fan. The motor will also determine the RPM. Copper-bound motors are commonly used in fans. Some motors may come with thermal overload protection as well.

Wattage: The power rating can differ across pedestal fans. A fan with lower wattage can potentially reduce your power consumption and the subsequent costs.

Noise: Pedestal fans usually have metal or plastic blades. You can opt for plastic blades as they are relatively more silent.

Fan settings: Opt for fans with multiple settings options for speed and oscillation to make your life more convenient. You can also consider buying a remote-controlled pedestal fan.

Manufacturer reputation: Consider buying a fan from a reputed manufacturer. This way, you know you’d get the best-quality products and an efficient after-sales service.

Ease in cleaning: Fan blades can collect dust and dirt. Hence cleaning them regularly is important. Opt for fans that are easy to clean and maintain.

Price: Lastly, consider your budget. Pedestal fans may range from ₹3,000 to ₹7,000. Typically, the price will increase based on the number of features the fan offers.

Takeaway

Due to their cooling abilities and portability, pedestal fans can be a viable addition to your home. You can easily find out its power consumption and take the necessary steps to maximise energy efficiency. Consider Crompton’s range of pedestal fans. They feature advanced technology and superior quality materials to enable low noise levels, a sturdy design, attractive and modern design, etc.

Explore Crompton’s range of pedestal fans.

FAQs on Standing Fan Wattage

Is a standing fan better than a ceiling fan?

Note that a standing fan and a ceiling fan both serve different purposes. A ceiling fan helps circulate air in a wider area while a standing fan offers localised cooling. Larger rooms can benefit from ceiling fans while smaller rooms such as prayer rooms, storage rooms, etc., can use standing fans. Also, standing fans are portable; you can easily move them between rooms.

What does CMM and RPM mean?

CMM stands for Cubic Metre Per Minute. It is the volume of air pushed out per minute. RPM stands for Rotation Per Minute. It represents the fan’s maximum speed.

Is a standing fan energy efficient?

A standing fan may be energy efficient as it typically consumes less energy. However, consumption is subjective; the energy consumed would be greater if you use the fan for a longer duration. Also, a fan at a higher speed will consume more energy than if it is kept at a lower speed.

Can I control a standing fan remotely?

You can control some standing fans with a remote control. For instance, the High Flo Ester and the High Flo Aveia from Crompton are pedestal fans that can be controlled using a remote controller.

Should I buy a 3-blade fan or a 5-blade fan?

In a fan, electricity is converted to mechanical energy and a motor turns the fan blades. When the blades rotate, they push wind outward. The number of blades determines the time between the bursts of wind. Typically, a five-blade fan will produce more wind than a three-blade fan. However, the motor needs to work harder to rotate five blades. Hence, five-blade fans tend to be slower. Also, three-blade fans are commonly available and relatively cost-effective.

Which is better, a metal blade fan or a plastic fan?

Due to the heaviness of metal blades, they cut through the air with less resistance, providing a stronger airflow and cooling effect. However, the heavy weight of metal blades means the motor has to work harder. Metal blades can also create significant noise. Plastic blades are relatively lightweight and do not strain the motor. They also make less noise. Metal-blade fans can be ideal for providing cooling in open or large spaces. Plastic-blade fans are typically used in domestic settings.